I suck

So pretty much, I suck. I go to a average state school most people can get into. Is it still possible to make a good salary (good for me is around 150k-200k in overall compensation) if I turn my life around and become among the top at a state school? I have already transferred once, so transferring again might not look good (although I'm willing to if it's necessary), but what can I possibly do from a average state school to get a good job? First of all, I'm not necessarily looking to get into investment banking (I do not have the sanity to cope with the work hours, stress, etc.), so I was first of all wondering what other careers besides high-level investment banking/management consulting can lead to the salary range I'm looking at eventually? For example, could commerical banking/corporate banking be a good option/feasible given my school?

Also, I know that I have to major in accounting from a useless school like mine since Big 4s don't worry about school prestige, but I hear that accounting is extremely boring (same hours during tax season, way worse accountant pay), so I was wondering if I major in finance, can I still get a halfway decent job, and if so, what kind of job can I get in finance? I'm also worried that accounting is not quantitative enough for me (thinking about majoring in math as well), so that's another reason why I'm thinking about finance (especially since I like it more), but what can I do, because the name of my school basically means my degree is worthless?

please, I know I said I don't want to be an investment banker necessarily, but I really want your help since you guys are experts for all that is finance.

 

Whats wrong with UofOregon?. I used to be a fan of Harrington till he choked in the pros. From my understanding though Uoregon is a pretty decent accounting school. Im sure you can place in wall street if you do the work get straight A's

 

Don't get too depressed. Investment banking is a good way to propel yourself into highly-compensated work through brute force without getting too creative about it. But people can make a lot of money doing almost anything. I've known guys in their 20s that make serious money doing things like flipping distressed homes(using the bank's money and a good credit score), getting the rights to sell a specific shoe from Spain in the US, running a popular student website etc. Get yourself a decent job at a good company so you can get healthcare, experience and money, keep your debts low, and constantly look for opportunities.

 

if you do finance you may end up working as some investment advisor in the boondocks- advising hicks on their 401ks. Do accounting. Get good grades. Work at Big4. Work hard on GMAT. Get into a good bschool. Go work in high finance if you still want to. That's a long process- but its highly possible you'll find a shortcut somewhere. You really cant plan more than +1 step ahead in life.

 
Best Response
Philosopher:
if you do finance you may end up working as some investment advisor in the boondocks- advising hicks on their 401ks. Do accounting. Get good grades. Work at Big4. Work hard on GMAT. Get into a good bschool. Go work in high finance if you still want to. That's a long process- but its highly possible you'll find a shortcut somewhere. You really cant plan more than +1 step ahead in life.

You'll be advising some hicks in the boondocks if you get shitty grades. Just like if you get shitty grades in accounting you'll be working at Captain Tim's Fish Market.

 
LondonE1:
indeed, your life sucks. my life's better than yours infinitely...

srsly, though, keep your head up. you can do it.......

Fuck u, u tilt me so hard I want to hurt you...... as for the kid who started this thread, coming from a state school and how you basically bitch slap state schoolers.... fuck u

 

there's nothing wrong with being from a state school. You can't generalize. There are plenty of very smart kids in state schools and plenty of idiots in target schools so you can't put everyone in the same basket. It's entirely up to you. If you have a chance of getting into Big4, then do accounting. There are plenty of very interesting and challenging roles within Big4 so don't get discouraged. I'd rather do accounting and have a chance of getting into the top accounting firms as opposed to finance and possibly ending up in some mediocre finance role. Get good grades, have good ec activities and a couple of leadership roles and you shouldn't have problems finding a very rewarding career from both a "job description" as well as financial standpoint. Good luck.

 

ha a lot of anger on the board...continue to do well in school and also enjoy your college experience, your school defines you only to the extent that you allow it to do so, sure, having a brand name helps to open doors but its ultimately up to the individual to make decisions that will position him to do well in the future.

In reality your life does suck at least relative to LondonE, but you control the outcome and there are plenty of careers that will afford you with the opportunity to make a decent living (Dont limit yourself and keep your head up.

 

Agree, I don't see how your situation "sucks" - maybe you suck?

Oh, and I can't believe you described 200k as a "decent salary." You need to stop thinking so small, and stop with the self-pity. You can do anything you want from a decent college, and Oregon is decent. Will GS come beating down your door? No. But if you want it, you can get it. Be top of your class, start a respectable EC, volunteer, have professors who will go to bat for you, get good internships during summers AND the school year, contact hundreds of alumni, get to know all the financial/accounting basics, and you should be able to get interviews anywhere you want. You're what, a freshman? You've got three years to make yourself the best. Once you get in to that interview, no one will judge you based on your school - they'll judge you based on how good you are, and even more on how confident you are. You need to decide whether you really think you deserve this - if you don't think you do, why should anyone else?

 

Just do the best you can at your school and try to position yourself for the best opportunity possible. Big four accounting is a great place to start.

As an aside, If your entire motivation is to find a job where you can make 150-200k that is a very bad motivation. Few people are successful that are only motivated by money, and most of those that are successful are miserable. Try to focus on doing something you are interested in and the rest should take care of itself.

www.sharpeinvesting.com

 

Dude, UO is a good school. I grew up in Eugene and would love to get back to Oregon in the near future. I went to the other state school just up the road and monkeyed around and ended up with a low GPA and an English degree. Did that keep me down? Heck no! I moved to a bigger city, networked, went back for an MSF (at another "low-prestige" state school) and moved my way up in research.

Keep your wits about you and continue to roll the dice. Prepare as much as you can for a career, but be ready to jump on the best opportunities as they roll by. Work hard, prove yourself in every job and you should be able to climb your way to the top, given that you are actually worthwhile, and don't totally suck.

Definitely don't let the prestige of your alma mater keep your career sights down. After your first couple of jobs your degree and where you got it from won't matter nearly as much as the quality of your experience on the resume. I will qualify this last statement by noting that there are a few elitist jobs and firms out there that will always show preference to Ivy degrees, but I believe this is primarily a marketing ploy. If you become the best at what you do, your degree shouldn't hold you back forever.

 

dude, I went to a shitty city college in NYC and I made it into a client-facing position on the street. All it takes is interviewing skills, smarts and drive. A little articulate bullshit doesn't hurt.

Now quitchabitchin' and go study.

Follow me on insta @FinancialDemigod
 

Wow, I was fully suspecting people to tell me that there really is no hope since from what I've read, pedigree matters so much.

The thing is, although I can handle starting in accounting, or working there for 3-4 years, I really don't think I can handle doing the BS work for years on end. Plus, accountants make almost no money (nowhere near the 150k mark I'd be happy with), plus, everyone complains about the work being so mind-numbingly boring.

Ideally, I'd like to get into some quantitative work (I was thinking being an actuary, or going into operations research would be good, but I guess I have no shot at those fields because of my damn school) since I've been good at math (no brag, I'm not saying I'm a genius, just well above average), so what else can I do since actuary or op research is not an option.

Also, one more thing, I was initially a pre-med (hence why I transferred back instate to cut down debt), and I kinda messed up my GPA, although I did well at first. I have a 3.4 right now because my second quarter was atrocious, so if I start acing my classes now, can the upward trend make up for the beginning?

 

"Plus, accountants make almost no money (nowhere near the 150k mark I'd be happy with), plus, everyone complains about the work being so mind-numbingly boring."

YOU ARE A DUMB FUCK-SO DUMB THAT IF I CENSORED THE PROFANITIES I WOULD STILL BE SCARED YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FILL IN THE BLANKS.

The starting salary in NYC for a Tax/Audit at PwC is 55k+5k signing+5k if you pass the CPA exam within one year of hire+a year end bonus. I know this for a fact. I also know that the first year manager (4-5 years in) makes 100k. Furthermore the STARTING partner salary (usually 12 years) is 400K all in compensation and FURTHERMORE the average partner salary is 750K-these numbers are FACT-not only did I intern at a big 4 this past summer, get an offer and declined it, but I have a family member whom was a partner at a big 4 once upon a time.

The high average accounting salary is 1 million (if you were to stick around 18 years maybe) and if you are the most senior people at a big 4, and I mean the MOST senior people, you can make 2.5-3 million as the top partners-once again I know this for a fact, I have seen the paycheck stub.

Yes I am an accounting major and yes I interned at a big 4, but I turned it down for BB S&T offer so I have seen both ends of the spectrum. The top traders make multiples of the top partner at an accounting firm, but accountants make good money, especially those who stick it out for 12+ years. If you really think about it, 34 years old making 400K+ (due to inflation in 12 years probably 500k) is a pretty sweet deal if you're concerned about job security.

 

Dude, you could get into a Big 4 if you made that 3.4 a 3.5 by internship time. It doesn't take long to get to $150k at those firms either. I don't know from first hand experience or anything, but from what I hear from my accounting undergrad+MBA friend, some of the work isn't that mind numbing (depends which dept. you get into, Transaction Services/Valuation wouldn't be so boring).

If you continue upwards with that GPA, I wouldn't rule out some sort of investment banking, either. Have some esteem, you're fine! Do some research, and find some regional/boutique IBs in NorCal, Oregon, and Washington. There might be some doors for ya there. PM comin' your way.

 

there are plenty of billionaires who went to state schools. stop whining and work hard. if you are among the best at what you do, regardless of its banking, accounting, cooking, acting, whatever...you will make some coin. (certainly enough to get you to your desired salary range)

and to the guy who said he liked harrington, this kid goes to oregon state, different school...home of steven jackson

 

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